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A Rare Opportunity

November 14, 2012

The chance to meet a favorite author doesn’t come along very often. Recently, Anna, a coworker, and I attended an event at Unity on the Plaza sponsored by Rainy Day Books. Kate Morton was speaking about her newest release, The Secret Keeper. Anna and I were both anxious to hear her.

When I picked up our tickets, I looked to see which numbers we were. Printed at the top were numbers 001 and 002. That meant we would be in the first group in line to get our copies of her book signed.

In the course of the evening, Vivian Jennings asked the author various questions. At one point Ms. Morton told about the kernels of the story for The Secret Keeper. She told us three of the kernels but not the third. She said she kept a notebook before writing the book and jotted down research and ideas as they came to her.

Figuring out what to say to an author in the few minutes you have face-to-face is challenging. Anna asked, "How do you find the time to write with two young children?" Kate replied, "You have to be disciplined. I try to write a thousand words a day."

I told the author that Anna and I both worked at a library. She commended us on our opportunity to open the world of reading through books. The first book I ever read of Morton’s was House at Riverton. After that I read The Forgotten Garden, which has a lot of similarities to the children’s book, The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I read it at Anna’s suggestion. The author, Burnett, is a guest at a garden party in Morton’s book. In addition, there are several other similarities between the two.

I also suggest viewing the video of The Secret Garden. It makes everything come together for the reader/viewer. It is memorable to discuss a book with a coworker and friend. But even more so, attending an event to hear the author speak is delightful.

If you’re looking for a distraction from the winter doldrums, hunker down with one of Morton’s books available through MCPL. I guarantee you will be transported to another place in time.